Ladder brace



July 30, 1 929. c. M MGNJAR E1' AL 1,722,534

' LADDER BRAcx-J Filed Aug. 12, '1927 Patented July 30, 1929.

CLAUDE M. MONJAR .AND PT-RCY C. MONJAR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LADDER BRACE.

Application filed August 12, 1927.

Our invention relates to ladders and particularly to a brace for use in connection therewith.

An object of our invention is to provide means adapted to increase the rigidity or lateral stiffness of ladders of all types. To accomplish the result we provide a device composed ot a '.tew simple elements so positioned and related to each other and to the elements of the ladder that an ideal mechanical brace is secured. rEhe necessary elements comprise a pair of levers positioned to extend diagonally between the side bars and a rung, a tension rod connecting the ends of the two levers, and means connecting the levers to the side bars, and constituting a ulcrum. One, two, or more of the devices applied to a ladder will serve to stiften it and provide a rigidity that could otherwise be secured only by greatly increasing the size and weight of the members.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is an elevation of a portion of a ladder to which two ot our braces have been applied;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 ot Fig. 3; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

In the drawings l have shown a conventional ladder consisting ot side 'bars 10 and rungs 11. The ladder may be of any length or width and with parallel or converging side bars.

The device of our invention comprises a pair of brace-arms or l vers 12-12 out arcuate outline each having at one end a prong or projection 13 adapted to be forced into the wood composing the side bar. At the opposite ends the arms are formed to provide seats 14 to engage with the rung 11.

A bolt 15 extends through a side bar and loosely-through the arm 12 at a point intermediate its ends and a tie rod 16 having a tightening nut 17 engages the two arms at a point adjacent to the seats 14 and outside of the point of engagement of the bolt l5 with the arms,

Serial No. 212,514.

`With the parts positioned as shown in the drawings and by manipulation of the nuts on the bolts 15 and on the tension rod 16 an intense force is exerted tending in eect, to mechanically and adjust-ably brace the side bars relative to the rungs and to each other. It after continued usage the ladder becomes objectionally non-rigid, it may be securely tightenedby screwing up the nuts.

The necessary rigidity can be secured in an ordinary ladder by the use of two of these devices, one at each end; and in long, or Very long ladders a number of braces at intermediate points will be found to be desirable.

The device may be very cheaply construct- `ed and will not wear out. rlhe application of 1t is simple, requiring only the provision of a small hole through the side bars t'or reception of the bolt 15. Other means of connection to the side bars may be provided and modifications in the form and arrangement may be made all without departure from the spirit of our invention.

l/Ve claim- Y 1. In a device of the class described, the combination with the side bars and rungs of a ladder of a pair of diagonally disposed braces extending across the angle between the side bars and a rung, means for rigidly positioning the braces, and a tension rod extending between braces, said positioning means acting as a fulcrumunder the pull of the tension rod.

2. In a ladder brace the combination with the side bars and rungs of a ladder, of brace arms extending diagonally between the bars and the same rung, the lower end of each arm being secured to the side bar, and the other end ot each arm having a seat for engaging the under side of the rung, a bolt connecting each arm to its side bar at a point intermediate its ends, and an adjustable connecting rod joining the two arms at the upper ends thereof.

In testimony whereot1 we have afIiXed our signatures.

CLAUDE M. MONJAB; PERGY (l MONJAR@ 

